by Dennis Egge
President, Board of Directors
American Retirees Association

APRIL 2017 - NEW

It's my understanding annuity law
will require that the Pentagon's
blended military retirement system'
assets be divided at the time of divorce.
Now, it seems Congress has
thankfully broadened that concept to
(prospectively) include the Pentagon's
traditional military retirement
system' jointly earned property assets;
unless I am wrong, this amounts
to California's depublished Kniss v
Kniss decision, in all 50 states. I am
advised that North Carolina, and
other states, are not currently in compliance
with these new regulations.
Last month, our BOD:

b. Agreed to expand our RAD calendar
to at least five events, in the
next 12 months. Last October, we
brought our full disclosure message
to the NAS Pensacola RAD, where we
were well received. We frequently visit
Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, so that
leaves three more. Any suggestions?
If you provide the date, I'll ask permission
to bring our full disclosure
message to your upcoming RAD.

c. Certified the candidates we
elected to serve another three year
term as our directors. Thanks to
them and our warm relationship with
NMVA we were able to quietly advance
our USFSPA reform agenda
this year. We simply never give up;
there are too many casualties to care
for.

d. After nearly 40 years at $25 per
year, we were finally forced by financial
reality to increase our annual
dues to $30. Hopefully, this will not
cause our members to end their relationship
with us. We never give up,
you know.

At your service,
Dennis Egge,
ARA National President

January 2009

When the US Supreme Court struck down California's self-proclaimed right to divide Uniformed Service Personnel retired from active duty pay as jointly earned property, on 26 June 1981, the dissenting Justices advised the 97th Congress "this (decision) could create some hardships". That admonition amounted to an opportunity the 97th Congress simply could not refuse. The 97th Congress' Uniformed Services Former Spouses' Protection Act (USFSPA) mandate encouraged State jurisdictions, where community property principles are pursued, aggressively, in divorce, by including Uniformed Service Personnel in the target audience, effective, 25 June 1981. . . . .

While the target audience calls for USFSPA repeal, their spouses openly stalk, ambush and abuse them in family court, with Congress' approval. Am I the only one who can imagine how ineffective USFSPA would become, if all targeted personnel were thoroughly trained and equipped to deal effectively with this clear and present threat? Armed with that information they will make informed choices, regarding their nation's call to arms as a profession, while married. If their employers will not provide this urgently needed training, I believe our Charter demands it.